It was quite impossible to tell Kaive this, and what if he asked her who she had heard it from? That would only put poor Randa in danger. Olessia's heart pounded in her chest as she tried to find the right words, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her dress.
"Speak. This instant." Kaive's voice sounded through the silence. His voice was so deep and commanding. He sat upright on the bed, with his piercing gaze fixed on her.
Kaive was intimidating, and Olessia knew he wouldn't leave her room until she confessed whatever it was that had made her face flush with embarrassment. His presence was overwhelming, and filled with authority that left her no escape.
"You…" She swallowed hard, unable to meet his eyes.
"You're on my bed… What if someone barged into my room and saw the both of us together on the same bed? They'll think otherwise."
Her voice trembled as she spoke, the words tumbling out in a rush. For a moment, silence followed. Then Kaive's lips curved into a faint, smile.
"And what," he asked softly, "would they think, Olessia?"
Her blush deepened. She wished she hadn't said a word.
But that was the fastest and easiest lie she could come up with. There was no way she would dare tell him about the rumors spreading through the palace… the ones claiming that His Royalty Kaive had taken a vow of celibacy, or worse, that he planned to abandon his title and become a monk.
Such talk was absurd, yet it had traveled through the servants' quarters. Thank goodness he believed her lie. It was a ridiculous excuse, but at least it saved her from having to repeat those humiliating rumors to his face. Still, the mere thought of it made her cheeks burn with embarrassment.
Olessia tried not to whisper anything under her breath. She knew better, Kaive's hearing was far too sharp for that. One careless murmur and she would be caught, her lies would be exposed in an instant. From that moment on, she promised herself to think carefully before speaking or acting around him.
But now, it seemed it wasn't only Kaive she had to worry about, but also Lady Eirene and Ziven.
"I was just taking a look around the palace. I didn't mean to go to your brother's part of the palace," Olessia tried to explain, even though Kaive hadn't asked her for an explanation.
"What kind of prisoner moves freely?" he asked teasingly.
She might be his prisoner, but ever since the day she cut her wrist, thinking it would return her to her village, Kaive had never treated her like one. Or perhaps it was because she hadn't tried to do anything foolish… like attempting to escape.
"I won't move freely henceforth. In fact, I won't go to the other side of the palace again," she promised.
She knew that wasn't a good idea, but she couldn't bear for what happened earlier to repeat itself. Kaive watched her for a moment, observing her every reaction before he finally spoke.
"I'm afraid you may find yourself in the northern part of the palace frequently," he said, rising from the bed.
He walked to the window, stared at the water outside, then glanced back at her. Olessia quickly looked away as memories of her failed escape filled her mind.
"You've not tried to do anything foolish, have you?" he said, turning his gaze back to the window.
His back faced her, and silence filled the room. Olessia's thoughts wandered. She wasn't sure what Kaive meant by saying she would find herself in the northern part of the palace frequently.
He turned from the window, wanting to bring up the sketches she had seen in his chambers… the drawings of her face, but he couldn't explain them. He knew how strange it would sound. He wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come.
"Don't get yourself into trouble. Randa might not call me to help you next time," Kaive said… and in a blink, he was gone.
Olessia sighed. Alone once again, she walked to the bed and sat down on the edge, thinking about his words. Randa had been the one who called Kaive earlier, when she nearly got into trouble with Lady Eirene and Ziven.
Randa had always been kind to her, the maid who checked on her daily and kept her company when the loneliness of the palace walls became unbearable.
*
*
*
Lord Lars sat silently, waiting for Ziven to explain why the invitations for the festival hadn't been sent yet. When Ziven finished whispering something to his personal bodyguard, Hakon, the man stood upright, bowed, and left Ziven's study. Ziven turned to Lord Lars and sighed.
"I am not the one in charge of the Grand Trine Festival this year. My brother is," he said.
That explanation didn't sit well with Lord Lars. He was disappointed with how far behind they were in preparations. Invitations needed to be sent to powerful nobles and rulers from other kingdoms. The door to the study opened, and Kaive entered.
"Greetings, Your Royal Highness," Lord Lars said quickly.
Kaive didn't respond. He had already heard their conversation from the corridor. His golden eyes fixed on Lord Lars as he spoke.
"The Grand Trine Festival is still forty-five days away, Lord Lars. Why do you think I won't be able to send invitations in time?"
Lord Lars swallowed hard before replying. "His Royal Highness Ziven has always overseen the festival, and it's never been delayed. I'm only saying…"
Ziven cut him off. "It's all right, Lord Lars. Perhaps you could find a noble lady to help my brother with the preparations. I had help every year from my fiancée, Lady Eirene."
Kaive turned to Ziven and shook his head. "I already have someone to help me brother."
Ziven frowned. He knew his brother well… Kaive was not the type to mingle or seek help. So who was this person?
"Who is it?" Ziven asked.
"It's Olessia."
The moment her name left Kaive's mouth, Ziven's eyes darkened with hatred.
"You must be joking," he said coldly. "To even think I would allow an outsider to plan something as important as The Grand Trine Festival."